what do you think of this website "Best Fantasy Books"?

[rai]

Best Fantasy Books You've Never Read | BestFantasyBooks.com

there is also a companion site about Science Fiction.
Best Science Fiction Books | BestScienceFictionBooks.com

I was curious, had been looking at that site to get some recommendations on books and whatnot.

I have a few questions, how or if it's possible for the writer of that site to have read all the books it discusses. I mean its staggering the number of books, and to be any kind of authority you'd have to read a lot of books like full time reading.

I was curious if people here tend to agree with the results, I mean it's obvious to have LotR and GRRM books at the top spots and on Sci-Fi with Dune at the top, my mom probably could make some sort of list with some of the obvious books. But I was curious how close to the mark the list is?

what really got me, since I read many of the books in the "worst examples" section, was if people really agree with these? John Norman books (I can see there is a debate about these particularly) but I read them when I was young and didn't think they were any worse than say ERB books.

Terry Brooks, Shannara books he really rakes over the fire. Granted I only read the first 2-3 but they didn't seem horrible to me (now this was 20-30 years ago so there is that).

Xanath (he really goes off on these) I thought them to be OK or good. It almost seems to me as if the list author has not read any of these (maybe just the back cover) or am I wrong. Again, I think the first several were OK good but not the best. But also not the worst either.

I never read anything by Eddings or Goodkind or Jordan so I can't say one way or the other.

I did just read Battlefield Earth, more for the space opera pulp adventure yarn. I didn't think it was awful at all, I mean its not DUNE for sure, but it's more like the ERB books that I've read. Pulp I believe is a good term. I don't expect every book to be 100% great, but this book at least was good enough for me to read to the end while I've started some (much more praised books that I couldn't read more than 100 pages one book in that category being 'The Doomsday Book').

Have not read 'The Eye of the Dragon' but to me putting Stephen King on the list of worst books (at least IMO) smacks of blasphemy, like putting a Beatles album on a list of worst albums (you can't do it).

 

[Overread]

Considering all the amazon links its likely just a site that was built by plucking the top suggestions from various sites and Amazon and then built into a website and linked up with the right key words to rank in Google- thereafter they get a kickback from those amazon purchase links being used. So basically it generates advertising revenue for the operator of the website.

That's not a bad nor good thing its just a thing but likely explains the context and nature of the site and thus the "validity" of the list

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Actually I'm a regular poster on their discussion forums as are a few other people here and their forums are thoughtful, well regulated and I'd recommend them without hesitation. The members there read a lot! And are very knowledgable.

I'm not sure how the lists are compiled (but have submitted to at least one list giving points to what I've read so they do take opinions from places) but have no doubt if you posted on the forum and asked either Tom or Ben (who run the site and/or compile the lists) would be happy to answer.

(I believe they do get affiliate income but it doesn't seem to be the focus of the site - when mentioned recently even some of their mods were unaware...)

So, yeah, nothing untoward that I'm aware of and a great site for fantasy and sf readers.

 

[rai]

thanks, is quite a fun site to peruse.

Just a few head scratchers, I mean is Xanath really some of the worst books ever? I grant there are way too many but take the first 4-5, don't think those were too horrible.

Battlefield Earth, I can see that being put on the list, but almost falls into the category it's so bad it's good. Plus (in the vein of Buck Rodgers, Flash Gordon and such, pulpy Sci-Fi it seems acceptable). Bad writing but I don't think it's nearly as bad as some other books. However I do know you have to pick the better known books or else you'd have a blurb about a book no one has ever read so there would be no context.

 

[Overread]

Jo - ahh interesting and reassuring - I must admit I looked at the main page linked and the quantity of amazon links and assumed it was that kind of website from that and its structure; I didn't look into the forum side of things but nice to know there's other big and running sites and communities out there for fantasy

 

[rai]

So how do the rankings look? I mean should I go by the top recommendations?

BTW for me Wicked was the worst book I could think of. I mean had struggled through 60-100 pages and actually wanted to light it on fire so other people wouldn't find it on a lending library bookshelf and have to suffer the same fate as I did reading the first few chapters.

 

[nixie]

Off the top 25 I've read 18.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I can see that. I have nothing against a 'top list' even if I don't agree with it. But it's kind of odd that I don't see any back story, like some kid who reads several books a week and he's got this list. Or better yet a true book critic who is giving his or her professional opinion.

I kind of feel cheated if this is just some kind of meta search list.

So how do the rankings look? I mean should I go by the top recommendations?

BTW for me Wicked was the worst book I could think of. I mean had struggled through 60-100 pages and actually wanted to light it on fire so other people wouldn't find it on a lending library bookshelf and have to suffer the same fate as I did reading the first few chapters.

i think you should go for the ones you like the look of - no one is ever going to love things in the order they show on a list. Use it as a jumping off point rather than to be slavishly followed.

 

[Vaz]

Yep, cozy site is bestfantasybooks. Lots of knowledgeable member and everybody is very lovely and welcoming

 

[Theophania Elliott]

Yep, cozy site is bestfantasybooks. Lots of knowledgeable member and everybody is very lovely and welcoming

Yep, that was my experience too.

As for the recommendations, I'd bet that they're a bit of a committee effort. And, as usual, I take that kind of thing as more of a vague "Yeah, lots of people think these are pretty good" rather than any kind of holy writ. After all, reading tastes are so varied that you're never going to get a list of "Top Ten Brilliant Books" that everyone agrees on (Twilight, Fifty Shades of Grey...).

 

[Beamer01]

Well I guess the site is interesting, in that it did give me a few names to check out, however I disagree with his both best and worst book lists. At first glance I would say I have provably read more of the worst then the best list. And a lot of the ones he condemned I enjoyed. Don't read as much fantasy as I once did but I will read the ones he considers top ten, (that I have not already read) and then maybe revisit this thread. At a guess I have read 50% of the best and about 60% of the worst.

 

[hitmouse]

@rai
I think the lists and your comments both demonstrate why "best" is highly subjective and should not be taken too seriously. It is always good to find a well written critique which one can debate in a structured way: this is often usefully thought provoking even if one disagrees with the conclusion.
Certainly better than the "this book is bad and I put it down after 100 pages" comment, which does not really constitute a reasoned argument. It does not necessarily follow that just because I dont like a book, that it is bad. The same goes for other arts: I find some Mozart quite boring, but I can accept that it has significant merit.

FWIW I think that Wicked and Doomsday Book are both excellent. It is a good thing that we live in a diverse world.

 

[BigBadBob141]

Stephen King's "Eye Of The Dragon" is not a bad book at all!
It may not be one of his best, but as a first try at fantasy pre-Dark Tower it's a pretty good effort.

 

[Montero]

@rai
Certainly better than the "this book is bad and I put it down after 100 pages" comment, which does not really constitute a reasoned argument. It does not necessarily follow that just because I dont like a book, that it is bad. The same goes for other arts: I find some Mozart quite boring, but I can accept that it has significant merit.
.

Diverting momentarily from the thread - I was in a youth orchestra and the professional musician who was the conductor, once told a story about playing in a concert starting the story with- "one of Mozart's more boring symphonies - written because he had targets to meet" .

 

[BAYLOR]

Stephen King's "Eye Of The Dragon" is not a bad book at all!
It may not be one of his best, but as a first try at fantasy pre-Dark Tower it's a pretty good effort.

I think writes very good fantasy. I loved Eye of the Dragon.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Incidentally BFB put up this post this morning:

I want to make a forum members top 10 books, however, I don't have a lot of ratings.

If you have read a book published in 2016, can you please go here and add your rating. Comments are welcome but not necessary.

Thanks

2016 Published Books - Your Rating

So, yes, they combine ratings for books and, if you want to be involved in that, sign up!

 

[The Big Peat]

While I use and like their forums, I do sometimes raise an eyebrow at their lists. But that's just their opinion man, just like my opinion is mine as well. Everything's tidy as long as you don't mistake them for holy bible. I'd add that their smaller subgenre lists can be a pretty good way of digging into obscure nooks and crannies of the genre.

 

[chongjasmine]

I use the website at times, to find new fantasy books to read.